soul of New York

Anyone who knows me, is well aware that New York City resides deeply within my heart. Much like a first love that will forever be revered. Several months ago, via my blogging journey, I met a fellow New Yorker with a similar sentiment towards the city that doesn’t sleep. Phil Vasquez is a writer and filmmaker from Canada, inspired by classic and foreign films and American and French popular music songbooks, everything from Cole Porter to Charles Aznavour. He has resided for many years in NYC and soon… Paris. I quickly discovered that Phil possesses a unique sensitivity and depth that was revealed in his short film, Song of Relations, a beautiful tribute to the soul of old New York City.

Nested in nests of water bays. Superb, rich.
Hemm’d thick all round with sail ships and steam ships.
An island, 16 miles long, solid founded.
Numberless crowded streets. High growths of iron. Slender, strong, light.
Splendidly uprising toward clear skies.
The countless masts. The white shore steamers. The lighters. The ferry-boats.
The downtown streets. The houses of business of the ship merchants and money brokers.
The river streets.
City of hurried and sparkling waters, city of spires and masts.
City nested in bays. My city.
– Walt Whitman

I look forward to following Phil’s journey from New York to Paris, a city he and his wife plan to call home, where he will absorb the culture and no doubt make authentic French films with an American independent production style. And where his unique vision will continue.

To view his film and learn more about this writer & filmmaker in the making: www.tpapictures.com

Also be sure to join Phil Vasquez on facebook and connect on twitter.

 

Marches de Noël

Every Christmas season I vow to find my way to the holiday markets all over the city and indulge in the mulled wines and assorted delicacies. Somehow, I get side-tracked and never make it, having thus far only found my way to the grand Christmas marche at La Défense. (Well worth the trip!) To prevent this from happening again, the well informed travel site AnyTrip.com has provided a list of the Marches de Noël in Paris. For those lucky enough to be living in the city of lights, take your pick!

Christmas Market at Champs-Elysées: November 19 – January 2
The Christmas Market on the most famous street in the city of Paris draws millions of visitors during the holiday season. This market stretches over a length of approximately 2 miles from the Arc of Triumph to the Place de la Concorde. On either side of the famed boulevard, you will find numerous chalet styled cottages that house many Christmas themed items such as hats, scarves, purses, jewelry, chocolates, arts and crafts and many others. This market is particularly popular for children as the popular La Grande Roue (Ferris Wheel) and other amusements rides are open at the Jardin des Tuileries (Tuileries Garden), not far from the Place de la Concorde. The Paris Metro serves various portions of the Champs-Elysées so if you can’t walk the entire length, you can use the public transportation system.

Christmas Market at La Défense: November 23 – December 27 (Closed on Christmas Day)
The Christmas Market at the La Défense section of Paris, is the largest in the city, in terms of the number chalets. This Christmas Market offers live music, beautiful holiday themed artwork, plenty of good food and more arts and crafts. La Défense comprises a number of business and features the impressive Grande Arche, which is square shaped arch that is over 360 feet high. La Défense is easily visible from several miles away, due to its large collection of high-rise buildings.

Christmas Market at Trocadero December 8 to January 2
With the striking view of the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop, the Christmas Market at Trocadero is among the best choices in Paris. The Palais du Trocadéro is the most prominent structure at Trocadero, which was completed for the 1878 World’s Fair. The palace now houses a number of museums, including the Museum of Monuments and the Maritime Museum. Along with the many chalet styled shops, which features arts and crafts, food and other Christmas related items, there is a very popular ice skating rink. At night, the rink offers an amazing view of the grandly illuminated Eiffel Tower.

Christmas Market at Saint-Sulpice December 11 to December 24
Saint-Sulpice, 
Paris’ 2nd largest church is the site of yet another popular Christmas market. Situated not far from the 2nd largest park in the city, the Jardin du Luxembourg, this smaller yet lively Christmas market offers all of the arts and crafts and the tasty foods you might find at the larger sites. There is also a Santa’s Village, which obviously is a top draw for the children. Saint-Sulpice houses one of the finest church organs in the city is aptly known as The Great Organ.

Christmas Market at Montparnasse Tower December 5 to December 30
Located at the front of the Gare Montparnasse (Montparnasse Train Station), this mid-sized Christmas market is known of its broad collection of French foods with Christmas flair. Because of its easy access from the train station, this market is one of most visited in the city. As with all of the other Christmas markets in the city, you’ll discover a number of interesting arts and crafts.

Thank you for the Christmas market inspiration AnyTrip!

As an additional bonus, cross the channel and win a winter trip to London! To enter, go to AnyTrip’s Facebook page and tell them what you and a friend would do on your perfect day in London. Winner chosen on Friday Dec 16th.

learning to fly

A good friend once told me that running a business is much like raising a child. Among other things, a lot of patience and resilience is necessary. Given that she has a child and a successful business, I took these words to heart. Exactly one year later, my child has managed not only to walk but to fly! Certainly the most challenging and rewarding work I have done in my life, and only the beginning.

a girl and her bags by Prête Moi Paris

I have so much gratitude of the past 12 months to express… where to begin? Most noteworthy…

1. My assistant (aka my Italian) has been supportive since day one, always offering solid advice, and even criticism whenever necessary, constructive of course.

2. My network of friends and growing fans keeps me eternally grateful and inspired. Merci à tous!

3. I cannot even list the incredible press I have already received, including Marie Claire, Huffington Post Style, Do it in Paris, Luxsure Magazine… not to mention all the fabulous blog features.

4. Much like I love to travel, so do my bags. They are gaining an international presence, as far away as Malaysia and the Greek Isles. Be sure to enter my travel bag giveaway if you haven’t yet!

5. The French have taken a liking to my aesthetic and I am selling at Le Bon Marché. A great honor!

a little New York in Paris

What’s ahead in 2012 for kasia dietz handbags? Aside from designing new collections and continuing to work on many custom projects, I am always looking for ways to give back, as I did with my Japan fundraiser. In the upcoming months I’m collaborating with a UK company and British filmmaker Fiona Lloyd-Davies to raise awareness and aid abused women in the Congo. Here is a preview of the film and more about the project. A worth cause I am proud to be a part of.

I’m also planning many more handbag painting workshops since the first was a great success!

Lastly and very importantly, friend and bag fan Andi of Misadventures with Andi, is giving away a bag in support of small business owners. (There’s also an interview!) Thank you Andi!

 

foreign treasures

This weekend I went hunting. This time not for treasures at the Louvre but for antiques. Specifically a danish modern shelf unit to fit a television. (Yes, after over 2 years television-less we are ready. Mostly as a tool to aid in French of course, and the occasional Anglo film.) The marché aux Puces had made it’s biannual appearance on Rue de Bretagne and I gave in to temptation. How could I not, as it was just a few blocks away. So the adventures in the history of ‘other people’s treasures’ began.

In the end, did I find what I was looking for? No. But I did find what I wasn’t looking for. Hard to resist, especially when it’s a foreign treasure. I did return home content, but will be sure to peruse the next antiques market when it returns in May. Or perhaps find another before then…

If you are on your own French treasure hunt, here’s a list of antique markets in and around Paris.

table for ten

A dinner organized by a host you don’t know, accompanied by guests who have never met, held at a mystery location somewhere in Paris. This sounds like my kind of dinner party.

An old friend recently mentioned the New Friends Table, a secret eating and meeting club new on the Paris scene. I had also read about it on the reputable HiP Paris blog. When two seats became available, I didn’t think twice. Somehow I knew I was in for a treat, without knowing much at all. The dining adventure began. My unassuming Italian and I were warmly welcomed by our gracious English hostess, the scene decoratively set. We immediately felt at home. The mingling began and toasts were made, as the guests continued to arrive. Each one of us a pawn in this mystery dinner game, creating a uniquely diverse yet equally open-minded dynamic. A table set by destiny.

The curious cast of characters spanned the globe including London, New York, Los Angeles and of course Paris. The hostess seated us according to her intuitive whim and the dinner began. The four hours to follow included divine compositions of the freshest cheeses, meats and seafood… each plate complimented not only by a glass of wine, but with a story from the engaging (and very witty) hostess and cuisinier. With each course we became better acquainted and shared stories of our own. And in this way, over a perfectly set table for ten, new friends were made. I’ve had many a mystery dinner thus far in my Paris life, this one by far being the most memorable.

For a seat at the table contact: newfriendstable@gmail.com and make sure to book well in advance… the secret is out!

travel meets fashion

I love to travel as much as I love designing. Thus, I decided to design a custom travel bag, revealing the three cities closest to my heart. A seemingly easy task, at least for the first two. Paris, since this is now my home and ever since that first visit so many years ago, love at first encounter. New York since it’s where I spent some of the most memorable (and formative) years of my life.

As for the third, that was a challenge. There are many cities I became enamored with, mostly during my journey around the world. Buenos Aires, Hanoi, Ubud (more a town than a city), Sydney, Mumbai, Kyoto, Luang Prabang, Krakow, London, Mexico City… the list goes on. But where was it that stood out in my mind unlike any other? Tokyo. Perhaps because I was there with dear friends on both my first visit and my second. Or perhaps it was due to the freshest sushi I’ve even eaten at 7am after a night of darts and karaoke… or simply, the unique energy and electricity in the air.

Whatever it was, Tokyo won a place on my bag. Along with Paris and New York.

What are your top three?

To make this equally exciting for all fashion savvy travelers out there, I’m giving away one custom hand-painted reversible travel bag to a lucky traveler and fan. With your initials printed on the inside pocket. To enter, leave a comment stating your three favorite cities and join my facebook fan page where I will announce the winner on December 15th. Bonne chance and many a bon voyage!

To order a custom bag or join a bag painting workshop and create your own: info@kasiadietz.com

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